How do I make an AI agent?
To make an AI agent, give a model a goal and a few tools, then run a loop where the model picks an action, your code runs it, and the result goes back to the model until it finishes.
Basic steps:
- Choose one narrow, checkable task.
- Write a system prompt with the goal and rules.
- Define one or two tools as functions with clear descriptions.
- Code the loop: call the model, run any requested tool, return the result, repeat.
- Add a step limit, a budget limit and logging.
- Require human approval for risky actions.
- Test with missing data and tool errors.
You can do this with a vendor's SDK or an agent framework, or in plain code. Read the provider's current documentation for the exact calls. Our guide on building your first agent walks through it.
Related answers
Are AI-written phishing emails harder to spot, and what should I look for now?
Yes, AI can write clean, convincing phishing emails without the spelling mistakes people used to rely on, so judge the request and the sender, not the grammar.
privacy-safety
Can AI analyze my Excel or CSV data and can I trust the results?
Often yes, especially with assistants that can run code on uploaded files, but you should verify the results.
accuracy
Can an AI assistant be tricked by hidden instructions in emails or web pages?
Yes. If an assistant reads emails, web pages or documents, hidden text in them can try to give it new instructions, which is called prompt injection.
privacy-safety